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Milton Glaser: 60 years of design

Renowned designer’s work in special show at University of Saint Francis

By Eddie Torres

Fort Wayne Reader

2017-01-24

From designing the original “I Love New York” logo to creating the identity for the final season of Mad Men, Milton Glaser (b. 1929) is among the most celebrated graphic designers in the United States. He has received numerous distinctions including the lifetime achievement award of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum and the Fulbright Association. In 2009, he was the first graphic designer to receive the National Medal of the Arts award.

The University of Saint Francis School of Creative Arts is presenting “Milton Glaser: Sixty Years of Design” in the Weatherhead Gallery of the Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center.

The exhibit begins on Saturday, January 21 with an opening reception at 6 p.m. in the Weatherhead Gallery, just off Leesburg Road on the USF campus, and runs through February 21.

An exhibit of posters by students in USF’s School of Creative Arts — many inspired by Glaser — will run in conjunction with the Glaser show.

Alan Nauts, the Director of the Graphic Design Program at the School of Creative Arts, writes: “As graphic design icon Milton Glaser has stated, ‘All designers love doing posters.’ And graphic design students are no exception. It’s that opportunity to move from a “smaller” format that tends to be the standard in brochure design, editorial design, etc. Yet, while the format is larger, the textual content tends to be significantly shorter. And what about the image? It had better be impactful. It has to be seen from across the room or even further… The designer has to be keenly aware of the message and think carefully about their concept and how they will make that connection with just the right visual; that one ‘perfect’ image.”

Nauts continues: “That’s what Milton Glaser is an expert at. Well, one of the many things he’s an expert at. There’s no more perfect teacher than Mr. Glaser when considering poster design. His use of color, texture, drawing and composition is incomparable. His ability to convey that visual message with an image is astounding. And he does it effortlessly. It’s exciting to look at a room filled with Milton Glaser posters. You realize that they are all unique. There isn’t one particular style. In fact, Mr. Glaser has consciously distanced himself from a specific style.”

“SOCA students have been considering the poster this past semester and have incorporated their understanding and approach to poster design in some of their class assignments. They’ve researched numerous methodologies and designers. Their hard work has culminated in this student exhibition. What a privilege to present their work adjacent to one of the greatest designers of our time.”

Milton Glaser: 60 years of Design

Weatherhead Gallery
University of Saint Francis
January 21 – February 21
Show is free and open to the public